The "High Ground" of the North Atlantic: Why Greenland is the Next Frontier of Global Competition with Heather Conley
From Intel at the Edge by Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP
February 11, 2026 · 38 min · Episode 13
About this episode
This episode discusses the strategic importance of Greenland in global competition and Arctic security.
In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by Heather Conley, a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a leading expert on Arctic security. Together, they unpack the strategic value of Greenland and the evolving geopolitical stakes in the Arctic. In this episode, we discuss: The Strategic Imperative: Why Greenland serves as a "first line of defense" for North America, providing early warning for ballistic missiles and tracking Russian nuclear submarines. Russia & China’s Presence: How Russia has militarized the region since 2014 and China’s ambition to become a "great polar power" by 2030. The "Ownership" Debate: Analyzing the diplomatic impact of President Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland and what it means for the 225-year relationship with the Kingdom of Denmark. The Future of the Arctic: Why the U.S. needs to prepare for the Arctic of 2040 today by investing in icebreakers, ISR sensors, and a persistent presence.
People in this episode
Host: Chip Usher
Guest: Heather Conley
Topics covered
- Geopolitical strategy
- Arctic security
- Military presence
- International relations
- Future of the Arctic
Keywords
- Greenland
- Arctic
- geopolitics
- military
- Russia
- China
- defense
- international relations
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: American Enterprise Institute
Places: Greenland, North America, Russia, China, Denmark
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